Quneitra, Syria – A key road in the provincial capital of Quneitra in southern Syria was obstructed with piles of dirt, fallen palm trees, and a metal pole that seemed to have once been a traffic signal. Across the barriers, an Israeli tank was observed maneuvering in the middle of the street. Israeli forces entered this area, situated in a U.N.-patrolled buffer zone in the Golan Heights established by a 1974 ceasefire agreement between Syria and Israel, shortly after the recent fall of President Bashar Assad amid the country’s 13-year civil war.
The Israeli military has also carried out incursions into Syrian territory beyond the buffer zone, leading to protests from local residents. They have reported cases where Israeli forces demolished homes and restricted farmers from accessing their fields in certain areas. On two instances, Israeli troops allegedly fired upon protesters who approached them.
Residents of Quneitra, an apparently peaceful area with small villages and olive groves, expressed frustration over both the Israeli advances and the lack of action from Syria’s new authorities and the international community. Rinata Fastas revealed that Israeli forces had raided local government buildings but had not yet entered residential neighborhoods. She voiced concerns that Israeli troops might advance further or attempt to occupy the area they have already taken. Israel still maintains control over the Golan Heights, captured from Syria during the 1967 Middle East war and subsequently annexed. Except for the U.S., the international community views it as occupied territory.
Fastas pointed out that Syria, currently in the process of rebuilding its national institutions and military, is in no position to confront Israel militarily. She questioned why the new Syrian state has not addressed the violations occurring in Quneitra province and the rights of its people.
The United Nations has accused Israel of violating the 1974 ceasefire agreement by entering the buffer zone. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that troops will remain until a new arrangement is made to ensure Israel’s security. He made these remarks from the snowy peak of Mount Hermon, Syria’s highest mountain, now under Israeli control.
An Israeli official, speaking anonymously, mentioned that the military will maintain its presence in the captured area until they are confident that the new Syrian authorities do not pose a threat to Israel. The new Syrian government has filed a complaint with the U.N. Security Council regarding Israeli airstrikes and incursions into Syrian land.
However, this issue does not appear to be a top priority for Syria’s new leaders as they focus on consolidating control, building a unified national army from former rebel factions, and advocating for the lifting of Western sanctions. Ahmad al-Sharaa, the de facto leader of Syria and head of the former insurgent group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, has publicly stated that Syria does not seek military conflict with Israel and aims to maintain peaceful relations with its neighbors and the West.
Residents of Quneitra have largely been left to fend for themselves. In the village of Rafid, located within the buffer zone, locals reported that the Israeli military had carried out demolitions, including two civilian houses, a grove of trees, and a former Syrian army outpost. Mayor Omar Mahmoud Ismail recounted an encounter with an Israeli officer who claimed, “I am your friend.” Ismail responded firmly, stating, “You are not my friend, and if you were, you wouldn’t enter like this.”
Locals who attempted to organize a protest were met with Israeli fire. In Dawaya, a village outside the buffer zone, 18-year-old Abdelrahman Khaled al-Aqqa was still recovering at home after sustaining gunshot wounds to both legs. Al-Aqqa described joining approximately 100 others in protesting the Israeli incursion on December 25, chanting slogans for Syrian freedom. Despite being unarmed and peaceful, the protesters were met with gunfire when they approached the Israeli forces.
A total of six protesters were wounded during the December 25 incident, with another individual injured in a similar confrontation on December 20 in the village of Maariyah. The Israeli army justified its use of force by claiming the individuals were disregarding warnings and approaching rapidly.
Adel Subhi al-Ali, a local Sunni religious figure, sat with his son Moutasem, who was recovering from a gunshot wound sustained during the December 25 protest. Al-Ali expressed the sentiment of resistance among the residents, emphasizing the need to defend their land even without weapons. He called for international pressure on Israel to abide by the 1974 ceasefire agreement and return the Golan Heights to Syria, though he acknowledged Syria’s current limitations in exerting influence on the matter.
Since the protest, the Israeli military has not reentered the area, providing a temporary respite for the residents. Al-Ali underscored the importance of upholding the agreements made with the former regime, signaling a desire for stability and adherence to international norms.
The situation in Quneitra reflects the ongoing complexities in the region, with local residents navigating a delicate balance between asserting their rights and avoiding escalation. The need for diplomatic solutions and adherence to established agreements remains paramount in ensuring the well-being of all parties involved.
